Contemporary Moral Problems

by White, James E.

• ISBN13: 9780534584306
• ISBN10: 0534584306
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-23
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This classic topically organized anthology--replete with problem cases, illuminating introductory essays, and end of-chapter study questions--engages students in a variety of contemporary moral debates. Combining divergent viewpoints on a number of timely issues and an introduction to the major currents of thought in the history of Western ethics, White's CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS, Eighth Edition provides students with a proven roadmap through the compelling and contentious arena of today's most pressing moral problems.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Ethical Theories	1	(80)
Introduction	2	(72)
Egoism and Moral Scepticism	10	(9)
James Rachels
Religion, Morality, and Conscience	19	(8)
John Arthur
The Natural Law	27	(3)
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Morality is Based on Sentiment	30	(4)
David Hume
Ethical Relativism	34	(4)
William H. Shaw
Utilitarianism	38	(6)
John Stuart Mill
The Categorical Imperative	44	(6)
Immanuel Kant
Happiness and Virtue	50	(10)
Aristotle
A Theory of Justice	60	(6)
John Rawls
The Idea of a Female Ethic	66	(8)
Jean Grimshaw
Problem Cases	74	(3)
Suggested Readings	77	(4)
Abortion	81	(76)
Introduction	82	(66)
The U.S. Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade (1973)	88	(10)
An Almost Absolute Value in History	98	(6)
John T. Noonan, Jr
A Defense of Abortion	104	(10)
Judith Jarvis Thomson
On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion	114	(12)
Mary Anne Warren
An Argument that Abortion Is Wrong	126	(12)
Don Marquis
Creation Ethics	138	(10)
Elizabeth Harman
Problem Cases	148	(6)
Suggested Readings	154	(3)
Euthanasia and the Duty to Die	157	(56)
Introduction	158	(46)
Active and Passive Euthanasia	163	(5)
James Rachels
The Intentional Termination of Life	168	(6)
Bonnie Steinbock
Killing and Letting Die	174	(6)
Phillippa Foot
The Survival Lottery	180	(6)
John Harris
Justifying Voluntary Euthanasia	186	(6)
Peter Singer
Is There a Duty to Die?	192	(12)
John Hardwig
Problem Cases	204	(5)
Suggested Readings	209	(4)
Capital Punishment	213	(42)
Introduction	214	(35)
The U.S. Supreme Court: Gregg v. Georgia (1976)	218	(11)
The Retributive Theory of Punishment	229	(2)
Immanuel Kant
The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense of Capital Punishment	231	(7)
Ernest van den Haag
Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty	238	(11)
Jeffrey H. Reiman
Problem Cases	249	(3)
Suggested Readings	252	(3)
Sexuality and Marriage	255	(56)
Introduction	256	(47)
The Vatican: Declaration on Sexual Ethics	260	(6)
Why Shouldn't Tommy and Jim Have Sex? A Defense of Homosexuality	266	(11)
John Corvino
A Reply to Corvino	277	(7)
David Bradshaw
Plato and Aristotle on Love	284	(1)
Martha Nussbaum
Gay Marriage---and Marriage	285	(9)
Sam Schulman
Who Needs Marriage?	294	(9)
Jonathan Rauch
Problem Cases	303	(5)
Suggested Readings	308	(3)
Liberty and Drugs	311	(62)
Introduction	312	(55)
On Liberty	316	(5)
John Stuart Mill
What Libertarianism Is	321	(9)
John Hospers
Paternalism	330	(13)
Gerald Dworkin
The Ethics of Addiction	343	(8)
Thomas Szasz
Against Legalization of Drugs	351	(9)
James Q. Wilson
Addiction and Drug Policy	360	(7)
Daniel Shapiro
Problem Cases	367	(4)
Suggested Readings	371	(2)
The Moral Status of Animals	373	(40)
Introduction	374	(34)
Our Duties to Animals	377	(2)
Immanuel Kant
All Animals Are Equal	379	(8)
Peter Singer
The Case for Animal Rights	387	(9)
Tom Regan
Difficulties with the Strong Animal Rights Position	396	(7)
Mary Anne Warren
The Moral Status of Animals	403	(5)
Roger Scruton
Problem Cases	408	(2)
Suggested Readings	410	(3)
The Environment and Consumption	413	(60)
Introduction	414	(50)
The Land Ethic	419	(11)
Aldo Leopold
Animal Liberation: A Triangular Affair	430	(17)
J. Baird Callicot
The Environmental Costs of Consumption	447	(8)
Alan Thein Durning
Famine Affluence, and Morality	455	(9)
Peter Singer
Problem Cases	464	(6)
Suggested Readings	470	(3)
War and Terrorism	473	(86)
Introduction	474	(71)
Pacifism	480	(14)
Douglas P. Lackey
The Conduct of Just and Limited War	494	(13)
William V. O'Brien
The Morality of Terrorism	507	(13)
Haig Khatchadourian
The Terrorist's Tacit Message	520	(7)
Laurie Calhoun
The War on Terrorism and the End of Human Rights	527	(7)
David Luban
The Concept and Practice of Jihad in Islam	534	(11)
Michael G. Knapp
Problem Cases	545	(10)
Suggested Readings	555	(4)
Index	559